samsung

Korean machine-gun robots start DMZ duty

South Korea's military has deployed machine-gun-toting robots along the heavily fortified border with North Korea, and a related promo video delivers more shock and awe than Kim Jong-Il singing the blues.

Samsung Techwin and other firms developed the SGR-1 robots, and they have been installed on a trial basis at a post in the central part of the Demilitarized Zone, Yonhap News quoted military officials as saying.

The $200,000 SGR-1s are remote-operated sentry bots that work in tandem with cameras and radar systems. They can detect intruders with heat and motion sensors, and challenge them through audio and video communications. The bots can also fire on targets with 5.5-millimeter machine guns and 40-millimeter automatic grenade launchers.

The officials didn't say how many bots were set up, but they will be installed throughout the 160-mile DMZ if the trial, which runs through the end of this year, is successful. Tensions along the DMZ are already high following the sinking of the South's warship Cheonan in March.

"Human soldiers can easily fall asleep or allow for the depreciation of their concentration over time," Samsung Techwin spokesman Huh Kwang-hak was quoted as saying by Stars and Stripes. "But these robots have automatic surveillance, which doesn't leave room for anything resembling human laziness. They also won't have any fear (of) enemy attackers on the front lines." … Read more

Cell phones with absurd names

Though Samsung's :)--that's Smiley for the uninitiated--has us all riled up, it's hardly the the first cell phone to bear a rather silly or baffling name. True, Samsung, tends to be the worst offender in this area, but other manufacturers have left us just as perplexed. That's why we took this opportunity to take a trip down memory lane for the most ridiculous cell phone names that we've seen. It wasn't easy to choose just 10, but here are our picks for the most bizarre cell phones. And be sure to tell us which … Read more

T-Mobile moves up Samsung Vibrant launch date

Editors' note: As we shot our First Look video prior to today's announcement, we give the Vibrant's original release date at the end of the clip.

We suspected this might happen, and now it's official: T-Mobile has moved up the release date of the Samsung Vibrant from July 21 to July 15, with the same price tag of $199.99 with a two-year contract.

Oh and would you look at that? We just happen to have a full review of the Samsung Vibrant right here, so check it out to see if you should be headed to … Read more

Samsung expands its 3D Blu-ray player line

Samsung already has a full line of standalone Blu-ray players, but Engadget noticed Monday night that the company has released a new trio of 3D Blu-ray players. Prior to the new roll-out, Samsung only had a single 3D Blu-ray player, the BD-C6900, which scored well in our review, but is pricey, especially with Sony offering 3D-compatible Blu-ray players for as little as $200.

We had a quick chat with a Samsung representative about the new Blu-ray players. The easiest way to understand them is by comparing with the currently available models:

BD-C5900 ($230 list) = BD-C5500 + 3D BD-C6800 ($280 list) = BD-C6500 + … Read more

LG jumps on 3D TV bundle bandwagon

Since actually watching 3D TV in the home requires not only a new TV but 3D-compatible hardware, expensive 3D glasses for everyone, and, yes, something in 3D to watch, TV makers are using bundles to promote 3D.

LG is the latest, joining other TV makers Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic. According to LG's press release:

Consumers who purchase any LG LX9500 or LX6500 LED HDTV paired with the LG 3D Blu-ray Disc Player from participating retailers, will receive two free pairs of the 3D active shutter glasses, a $100 instant rebate, and a bonus redemption certificate to receive Warner Home Video's Blu-ray 3D title "IMAX Under the Sea 3D" by mail while supplies last.

3D will still cost a bundle, however. At press time, the least expensive LG 3D TV, a 47-inch LX6500, costs about $2,300, so buying the qualifying BX580 player ($300) and factoring in the rebate brings the total cost to about $2,500. That's eerily similar to the $2,500 entry price for the Samsung UN46C7000 ($2,200) and BD-PC6900 ($300), which together qualify you for a similar "3D Starter Kit" with, yes, two pairs of glasses and a Blu-ray disc.

Phones for pants

Links from Friday's episode of Loaded: China renews Google's Internet Content Provider license Sony launches what it calls the "world's smallest 3D cameras" Facebook takes away gift giving on walls Samsung releases pricing and launch date for the AT&T Captivate The Guggenheim Museum searches for YouTube video submissions for its next exhibit American Eagle Outfitters will give you an Android phone just for trying on pants

Have a great weekend everyone! See you Monday!

T-Mobile may move up Samsung Vibrant release

Is T-Mobile preparing to take the Droid X on in a head-to-head battle? It certainly appears that way.

According to multiple TmoNews sources, T-Mobile is bumping the release date of its Samsung Vibrant up roughly one week to July 15 instead of July 21 as originally planned. This would pit the Galaxy S series phone in a super-phone showdown, with Android fans coming away big winners either way.

As everyone already knows, Verizon and Motorola are going to hit the Droid advertising heavily. It's rumored they pumped $100 million into the first Droid campaign, and the recent Droid Incredible … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 6: 2GHz phone coming soon? (podcast)

A 2GHz Android phone from Samsung, how to get a free Droid X, and Froyo trounces iOS4 in Javascript speed tests. Plus guest Molly Wood reviews the Kindle for Android app, and we discuss how to wipe the data from your phone.

Android 2.2 demolishes iOS4 in JavaScript benchmarks Yahoo! Launches Android Apps Report: More than half of Android apps are free Qualcomm unveils augmented reality platform for Google Android phones 21 Droid X phones are hidden waiting for you to find them … Read more

Samsung Captivate for AT&T available July 18

It looks like AT&T will be the first one to release one of the Samsung Galaxy S smartphones, as the carrier announced on Thursday that the Samsung Captivate will be available starting July 18 for $199.99 with a two-year contract (voice plan and minimum $15 data plan required).

The Captivate is AT&T's most feature-rich and powerful Android device to date, featuring a 4-inch Super AMOLED touch screen, Samsung's 1GHz Hummingbird processor, 16GB of onboard storage, and a 5-megapixel camera, among other things. You can check out our hands-on video for a closer look … Read more

YouTube for the boob tube

Links from Thursday's episode of Loaded:

YouTube launches a beta version of YouTube Leanback to bring the video service to your television and revamps its mobile site for easier touchscreen navigationMotorola announces the Motorola CHARM, a new Android phone for T-MobileSprint announces the Samsung Intercept, its latest Android offeringAmazon launches an online grocery store in the UKTime Magazine will stop publishing its magazine articles for free online until they are two weeks oldA new study shows that students do suffer from attention span problems after consistent exposure to television and video games